The disabled deserve equal rights to perform - Lt.Col Rajeev Wickremasinghe

By Ranjan Anandappa

Disabled - The disabled are not in need of soliciting sympathy, but they should be given equal rights as a able person and their talents should be recognised as well as their ability just the same as a normal human being.

"When a disabled person gets on to the podium to receive his or her award, it is the same flag that flutters and the same National Anthem is being played of their respective countries. Although they are handicapped in one way or other these people make great sacrifice to bring honour to the country."

These were the sentiments of Lt.Col. Rajeev Wickremasinghe, the President of the National Federation of Sports for the Disabled at a press briefing held with regard to the Sri Lankan contingent which will be participating at the 9th FESPIC (Far East Sports Pacific) Games to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from November 25 to 1st December 2006.

Dialog Telecom, a sports sponsor in the forefront has come out with a generous sponsorship package of Rupees Three Million for the Sri Lankan contingent and earnestly hoped that the disabled athletes will bring glory to the country by winning medals.

Addressing the media at the Taj Samudra Golden Pond Restaurant, Nushad Perera, the General Manager, Sales and Marketing of Dialog Telecom, said that Dialog GSM is committed to power Sri Lanka sports and this commitment is part of their philosophy as a socially responsible corporate, dedicated to enriching Sri Lankan lives and enterprises.

The commitment includes the dedication to develop the potential, and elevate the profile of handicapped athletes and sports in Sri Lanka.

Malaysia is the home country of Dialog and hoped that the Sri Lankan FESPIC party will bring more medals to the country which will enhance them to draw more sponsors. No company will like to sponsor a losing team, and certainly Dialog doesn't want to sponsor a losing team said Nushad Perera.

The FESPIC games are held once in four years and the Sri Lankans won 25 medals last time when it was held in 2002.

The Sri Lankan contingent will consist of over 100 competitors in athletics, weightlifting, swimming, wheelchair tennis and other disciplines.

Around 4,000 competitors from 63 countries are expected to take part in the Games with about 3000 medals in the offing. It has been categorised in four groups as wheelchair sports, disabled, visually handicapped and mentally impaired.

The Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Jeewan Kumaratunga who was also present, said that he was always pleased with Dialog and they have stepped in once again to lend their support and encouragement to the contingent.

He also assured that free air tickets will be provided to the participants.